Payton Collins is viewing the looming Western Final through a slightly different lens than more-experienced members of a veteran-laden Saskatchewan Roughriders team.

The 6-foot-7 left tackle — the CFL team’s Most Outstanding Rookie — is seeing everything for the first time.

“What I’ve experienced this season has really been amazing,” Collins said leading up to Saturday’s high-stakes game against the B.C. Lions (5:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).

“The city … the fans … I literally can’t wait to see what this place looks like on Saturday.”

More than 32,000 seats have been sold for a game that will determine the West Division representative in the 112th Grey Cup Game, to be played on Nov. 16 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.

A year ago at this time, Collins was applying the finishing touches to a stellar college career with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

“The CFL in general is a very cool league,” said Collins, 24, who hails from Columbus, Ohio.

“I didn’t know much about it, coming from America. I’m just really glad that I came up here. With the atmosphere and all the games, Regina is a very cool place, for sure.”

Collins signed with the Roughriders on May 2 — six days after the NFL Draft and five days before rookie camp began at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

“This has meant a lot, because I wasn’t quite sure what my future was going to hold,” he said. “I didn’t really have anywhere to go. Then (Assistant General Manager) Kyle Carson reached out.

“Looking back on that and then fast-forwarding to Saturday, I’m about to be in a West Final. It’s pretty amazing that I’m here right now.

“I cannot wait for Saturday, especially coming from the FCS level. We had big games, but nothing like how many fans are going to be here on Saturday. I’m truly excited for it.”

Collins is part of an offensive line corps that includes three All-CFL performers — centre Logan Ferland, right guard Jacob Brammer and right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick.

“All the veterans, like Logan, Yoshi (Hardrick) and Sean (McEwen), along with Coach Ed (Harrison), they’ve really helped me grow as a player this season,” Collins said. “They’ve helped make the transition as easy as possible, coming from college to the CFL. I’m really fortunate to be able to look at people in the room and see what they do and see how successful they’ve been over their careers.

“We have three all-stars in our room and a guy up for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman (Hardrick). I get to watch how they prepare, how they work. I try to do what they do so I can be successful as well. I feel that’s the biggest thing that has helped me so far.”

SEIZE THE MOMENT

The 2025 regular season is in the books. Having registered a CFL-best 12-6 record, the Roughriders know the slate is wiped clean come playoff time.

Brett Lauther can attest to that as his seventh post-season appearance with the Green and White approaches.

“You never know when you’re going to be back,” the seventh-year Roughriders kicker said. “You never know whether it’s going to be the same team, the same staff — especially in this league — so you try to make the most of every opportunity.

“We feel like we have the guys this year. All year, we’ve stuck together through the highs and lows, no matter what. We’re just excited for the opportunity to go out there on Saturday.”

Lauther is among six players who were also with the Roughriders in 2019, when the team previously played host to a Western Final.

The other holdovers are defensive tackles Micah Johnson and Charbel Dabire, fullback Albert Awachie, long snapper Jorgen Hus and receiver Mitch Picton. Ferland was a practice-roster player in 2019, when he saw game duty for the PFC’s Regina Thunder.

“The team is never the same (from year to year),” Lauther said. “The players aren’t. It’s never the same with the organization or with coaches. It’s hard to look back on things and try to keep moving forward.

“I think you can always learn, whether you’re here or somewhere else, from certain things. But this team hasn’t been in those situations so, for us, it’s just focus on B.C. and focus on trying to get a win.”

INJURY UPDATE

All-CFL receiver KeeSean Johnson was listed as questionable for the Western Final when the Roughriders’ injury update was released on Thursday afternoon.

Johnson missed the final two regular-season games with a knee injury.

He was a limited participant in Thursday’s workout, as was fellow receiver Ajou Ajou (ankle). Ajou is also questionable.

Running back Mario Anderson Jr. (knee) and defensive lineman Shane Ray (neck) are out.

However, 14 players were classified as “available” on the injury list.

Included among them are halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. (foot/knee) and receiver Dohnte Meyers (ankle), both of whom missed the final three regular-season contests.

Short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens (knee) is ready to return after sitting out four games.

The lengthy list of available players also includes Lauther (back), receivers Samuel Emilus (load management) and Joe Robustelli (knee), offensive linemen Zack Fry (knee), Philippe Gagnon (head) and Trevon Tate (shoulder), defensive backs Jaxon Ford (knee), C.J. Reavis (load management) and Marcus Sayles (ankle), defensive lineman Mike Rose (load management) and linebacker Nick Wiebe (back).